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Astrophel and Other Poems - Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles - Swinburne, Vol. VI by Algernon Charles Swinburne
page 26 of 145 (17%)
Men and years are as leaves or tears that storm or sorrow is fain
to shed:
These go by as the winds that sigh, and none takes note of them
quick or dead:
Time, whose breath is their birth and death, folds here his
pinions, and bows his head.

Still the sun that beheld begun the work wrought here of unwearied
hands
Sees, as then, though the Red King's men held ruthless rule over
lawless lands,
Stand their massive design, impassive, pure and proud as a virgin
stands.

Statelier still as the years fulfil their count, subserving her
sacred state,
Grows the hoary grey church whose story silence utters and age
makes great:
Statelier seems it than shines in dreams the face unveiled of
unvanquished fate.

Fate, more high than the star-shown sky, more deep than waters
unsounded, shines
Keen and far as the final star on souls that seek not for charms or
signs;
Yet more bright is the love-shown light of men's hands lighted in
songs or shrines.

Love and trust that the grave's deep dust can soil not, neither may
fear put out,
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